PRAISE FOR STORMSONG
“Fantastical, thoughtful, and un-put-downable, I flew through Stormsong and want the third in the series NOW.” —Elizabeth Hoyt
"A superb sequel blending political intrigue, witchcraft, and queer romance. This delectable treat is a worthy follow-up to her debut." —Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"Polk's sequel to Witchmark continues to unwrap an intriguing world of magic, political intrigue, and alternate-Edwardian times. Familiar and favorite characters support the young woman who takes center stage, while Polk's charming prose frames an original and witty story filled with action and romantic tension." —Library Journal
"A thoughtful and passionate depiction of one woman's struggle to discover her truest self." —Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR WITCHMARK
"Thoroughly charming and deftly paced." —The New York Times
"Invigoratingly original, crisply and subtly and wittily written." —Anthony Rapp
"C.L. Polk's Witchmark is a delightfully compulsive read. With an intriguing alternate world of magic and modernity and the costs of both, and an endearing protagonist in Dr. Miles Singer — more, please!" —Carrie Vaughn
"Enthralling, fast-paced, and romantic, Witchmark unveils a fascinating world. Polk writes with assured ease. I can't wait for her next book!" —Elizabeth Hoyt
“This book has it all: alternate history Edwardian world, magic system world-building, murder mystery, family drama, examination of class systems — did I mention magic? — and a sweet male/male romance.” —Alyssa Cole
"A crackler, with layers like a nesting doll and just as delightful to discover. Witchmark is a can't-miss debut that will enchant readers." —Booklist Starred Review
"Polk's stellar debut... blends taut mystery, exciting political intrigue, and inventive fantasy... Polk is a writer to watch." —Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"The world of this new series feel rich and familiar, yet wholly unique. The atmosphere is perfect for this tale of dangerous magic, lost souls and lonely hearts." —RT Book Reviews
"The subtle ways Polk builds her characters, reveals the systems under which they live and unwinds a complicated, twisting plot with both personal and political implications are testaments to her skill as a storyteller." —Shelf Awareness
"This book has romance, mystery, witch battles, and bicycle chases." —Elizabeth Bear
"Glowing with expertly handled magic, in a deeply-layered alternate world, Polk's Witchmark is a serious mystery and a steaming romance. I'm enchanted." —Fran Wilde
"Witchmark is a brilliant read, full of atmosphere and thrills, likable characters, and more than a bit of romance. It is a remarkable debut!" —Los Angeles Public Library
"If you need a fun queer period adventure romance, you'll want to add this to your TBR pile." —Aliette de Bodard
"Witchmark is an exciting, accomplished and wonderfully written debut. C.L. Polk has created a world which, while recognisable, is nonetheless wholly original — the perfect setting for a fast-paced, complex and wonderfully characterised story." —Foz Meadows
2019-12-09
A young politician confronts affairs of state, the dark secrets of the past, considerable emotional turmoil, and the weather in this follow-up to the World Fantasy Award-winning Witchmark (2018).
The country of Aeland reels after the events of the previous volume, in which Dame Grace Hensley's brother Miles discovered that the aether network (a magical equivalent of electricity) was being powered by the souls of the dead, the brutal war with neighboring Laneer was trumped up to grab Laneeri souls for the network, the Laneeri retaliated by possessing the returning Aelander soldiers and forcing them to murder innocents, and their father was complicit in most of it. The people are angry about the loss of aether, and they would be angrier still if they knew that many of the nobles were secret witches who thrust common witches into asylums to exploit their powers. As the country's new Chancellor, Grace is supposed to calm the people, maintain the status quo, and mollify the Amaranthines, the faerylike psychopomps who condemn the aether network's abuse of souls. As the Voice of the Invisibles, Grace must lead a cabal of unwilling mages to quell the worst storms that Aeland has seen in centuries. But she has no support from her scheming peers, and her imprisoned father, the former Chancellor and Voice, is clearly manipulating events behind the scenes. Grace would like to free the witches and finally be honest with Aeland's people, but she fears it will cause mass riot. However, others are forcing her hand, including Miles' friend Robin, a medical student and secret witch, and Avia Jessup, an astute and dangerously attractive former heiress-turned-reporter who's nearing many explosive truths. Grace is an intriguing contrast with her brother Miles, protagonist of Witchmark, who has a much more black-and-white sense of morality. Grace was the designated heir to her father's several types of power; and while she now despises him, freeing herself of his influence and ruthless love isn't easy for her. She has good intentions toward the people of Aeland, but she has no idea about how the other half lives. She takes her comforts for granted even as she neglects her own desires in the service of others, exemplified by the narrative's emphasis on the many meals she misses in the course of her duties.
A thoughtful and passionate depiction of one woman's struggle to discover her truest self.
